Dallas Cowboys Wide Receiver Battle: Why Third Preseason Game Was a Charm

Without a doubt, the third preseason game, or dress rehearsal, is the most important for NFL teams as the start of the regular season draws closer. For at least one half of football, the starting units on both offense and defense see extensive playing time, plays are executed crisply and with more precision and the game has that regular season feel and vibe to it.

For the Dallas Cowboys, the third preseason game meant a little bit more to Jason Garrett than just getting a feel for how his first units performed. Time is winding down, and it's critical assessment time for key areas of the roster. One of the areas getting some resolution and sorting out is the wide receiver position.

After some solid performances from Kevin Ogletree, Dwayne Harris and Cole Beasley against the San Diego Chargers, it would be interesting to see how the unit responded a week later. Who would repeat their performance? Would anybody step up? Would anybody step down?

With a lot of questions remaining, limited opportunities available and two cutdown dates on the horizon, what answers were drawn from this victory over the Rams?

The answers start with starting quarterback Tony Romo and his 9-of-13, 198-yard, two-toucdown performance. Both of those touchdowns were connections to Harris, and they were a thing of beauty. One of those connections was a 61-yard strike that hit Harris in stride. The other was a 38-yarder in which Harris broke the tackles of two defenders and leaped into the end zone.

What I liked about Romo's performance is that he elevated the play of the younger receivers, and they responded. That will only help this offense to be more effective and add more wrinkles into the game plan. Everything has to start with chemistry, and it appears to be building.

I know the Rams are a young, rebuilding team, but the Cowboys' offense was playing without the services of Jason Witten, Miles Austin and Dez Bryant. The offense, and Romo in particular, have improved since their preseason debut, and the game told a compelling story about the wide receiver position. 

Jason Garrett loves competition throughout his roster, but something looks definitive about what we saw from the receivers. Ogletree, Harris and Beasley seemed to be moving very comfortably within the offense while also displaying a natural feel on routes. The cement hasn't dried on either the third receiver spot or the final depth chart, but these three players are making strong cases for legitimate roles in the offense.

Harris finished with three catches for 118 yards and two touchdowns, Ogletree finished with five catches for 75 yards and Beasley had three catches for 40 yards. All three players had solid performances, and each brings their own identity to the party.

Harris catches the ball strongly, he can be utilized as a punt returner and brings versatility. Ogletree finally looks like he's getting a grasp on the offense, and his speed could be a big asset for this offense. Beasley is a slot mismatch for any defender, and his ability to get open, extend drives and gain yards after the catch is a dimension this offense has been lacking.

The wide receiver battle seems to be sorting itself out, and there appears to be separation among the candidates. Unless players like Tim Benford, Andre Holmes and Danny Coale can make a major, major statement in the preseason finale, the first five spots appear to be settled. The Cowboys could still elect to look outside the organization, but assuming they do not, they will go to battle with what they have.

The more interesting question is whether Dallas will go with five or six receivers. Either way, it finally looks like the receiving corps is rounding into shape. It was a gradual process that's not fully complete, but it looks like the third preseason game was the charm.